RIP: Dick Butkus
We lost a legend today
Chicago Bears icon, Dick Butkus, passed away today at the age of 80.
A beast at the University of Illinois, Dick Butkus was a two-time All-American who won the Big Ten MVP in 1963. Butkus stayed close to home as a pro, as he was taken with the third overall pick in 1965.
Chicago was not a powerhouse when Butkus played, but he was the reason to pay attention to the team. One of the most punishing tacklers in football history, offensive skill players were quaking with the knowledge that they could be on the end of a Butkus tackle. Butkus would define the middle linebacker position, and his versatility became a standard that only a few have come to match.
Butkus played in the NFL for nine seasons, and was a pro bowler for the first eight and a first team all-pro for five of them. He is also one of a handful of people who won the Defensive Player of the Year twice.
After Butkus retired, he would become a successful actor appearing in many commercials and television shows. He was chosen for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983. Butkus was also named to the 1960s and 1970s All-Decade Teams, and NFL 75th and 100th Anniversary Teams.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to extend our condolences to the fans, friends and family of Dick Butkus.
Dick Butkus to become the inaugural inductee to the Illini HOF
What will we eventually get to is the major Universities and their respective Halls of Fame.
As such, it is news to us that the University of Illinois has finally decided to have an Athletic Hall of Fame and that former defensive football standout, Dick Butkus, will be the inaugural inductee.
Born in Chicago, Butkus played for the Fighting Illini from 1962 to 1964 playing both Center and Linebacker. He would become a two time All-American (1963 & 1964) and would win the Knute Rockne Award in both of those years. His other accolades include winning the Big Ten Player f the Year and a sixth place finish in Heisman Trophy balloting.
For his contributions to the College Game, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983 and the Butkus Award is given annually to the top Linebacker in College. His number was also retired by the University of Illinois.
While Butkus was named the inaugural inductee it was mentioned by the University that there will be more chosen for the first class, however no concrete number was given.
The official ceremony will be on September 29-30, the weekend where the Illini will host the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Big 10 Home Opener.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate both the University of Illinois and Dick Butkus at this time.